Japanese designer Isamu Sanada has created yet another interesting Mac concept. The MacCube takes the styling of the Mac mini and Power Mac G4 Cube, and mixes them into a new headless small-form-factor Mac. Isamu says his MacCube would include a Core 2 Duo 2.33GHz processor, SuperDrive, NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT video card, optical digital audio input/output, Airport Extreme, Bluetooth, gigabit Ethernet, and a plethora of USB and FireWire 400/800 ports. Isamu also says it would be as quiet as the Mac mini and include an internal power supply. So let us know what you think! Is this concept the Mac mini tower of your dreams?

For any-and-all applications that aren't Games, I haven't experienced any (or very little... at least compared to Windows XP, and I had a pretty good computer back then) noticeable slowness in my Mac Mini. I guess it's be good for the Gamer who already has a nice monitor and can't afford the Mac Pro (and doesn't want a laptop) ... and, I mean, it can't hurt to have a mid-range Mac...

I just can't imagine wanting one. With the work I went into to put the 2GB of RAM in my Mini, I plan to use it for AWHILE._________________As of June 2007: traded the 20" low-end aluminum iMac for a 24" high-end previous-generation white iMac. Performs better all-around.

I'm all for a new Cube, but that patent Apple put in might just have been house cleaning; companies will go back and file patents on their prior art if they didn't do it when the work was released. I believe Apple has done this in the past._________________| Mac mini 2011 | Apple Thunderbolt Display | Apple keyboard and Magic TrackPad | 2Tb Time Capsule | Apple TV (3) | iPhone 4s |

I like the mini because it is small and inconspicuous. I've had folks come over and not even realize that the computer (mini) is sitting there right next to the monitor. If I were to consider something larger like this concept, I'd just go ahead and buy a Mac Pro and put it under the desk._________________2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB RAM
miniStack 500GB
Dell 1905FP
Logitech Wave Cordless Desktop

I'm torn between my love of the mini form factor and the always deep desire for "more power", if Apple releases a cube I am likely there unless it is just hideous. If Apple releases a Core 2 Duo tower that could sway me as well, but I don't think my usage pattern can justify a Pro any time soon, although having a giant e-peen is always fun _________________| Mac mini 2011 | Apple Thunderbolt Display | Apple keyboard and Magic TrackPad | 2Tb Time Capsule | Apple TV (3) | iPhone 4s |

Can we expect to see a core 2 duo 2.33mhz verison of a mac mini next year when Leopard is released ? A 250GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM as standard would be good or is this pushing things too far given the size and extra heat generated etc ?

Would buy it in a second. I like the mini, but of all the Macs I've owned (21!!) the Cube was my favorite. Perfect combination of size, speed and quiet . . . and NO built in display!! Come on, Apple . . .

Can we expect to see a core 2 duo 2.33mhz verison of a mac mini next year when Leopard is released ? A 250GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM as standard would be good or is this pushing things too far given the size and extra heat generated etc ?

I think the Core 2 Duo are pin-compatible and produce less heat than the Core Duo processor. I'd say it should be possible.

I don't see Apple maxing out the RAM for the default configuration, especially since you can do it yourself or via BTO options.

I hope that's the back of the thing, although the DVD slot tells me it isn't.

It may be interesting, but it's a non-starter.

Jamie

That pic is the back. The website link shows the other views. What looks like the DVD slot is a cooling vent.

I happen to like the looks of this thing as is, but of course as Apple will probably never build us something like this, it's a "moo point" (Friends reference).

I've just ordered a new intel mini (that iTunes 7 issue pushed me into it) but I'm going to keep going mini instead of imac in hopes that I'm wrong and Apple offers us a new cube . . . or a much smaller tower.

I don't mind the design, but it's just a little too tall. The only reason Apple would need increase the overall height of the Mac mini is if they went with a 3.5" drive. Even then, I figure it would only need to be another 2-3 inches taller than the current Mac mini. That would basically make it the same height as the Mac mini stacked with a MiniStack. I also don't mind the Mac mini having an external power supply, so there's no need to increase the height to make room for an internal one._________________1.25GHz Mac Mini / 1.8GHz iMac G5 / 2.0GHz C2D Mac mini (2009)
4GB iPod mini / 2G iPod shuffle / 16GB iPhone 3G
Apple TV 2
iLife's a Bitch!

Have only 1 USB & FireWire on the front.. Put power button on the back. Make the power an external brick and make the power plug as small as the Minis. Lower it 2-3 inches. Change the layout of the ports on the back.

Make the whole thing aluminum, no polycarbonate top..._________________

Have only 1 USB & FireWire on the front.. Put power button on the back. Make the power an external brick and make the power plug as small as the Minis. Lower it 2-3 inches. Change the layout of the ports on the back.